Satellite operator SES has teamed up with Google to simplify how Android users connect to airline-branded onboard portals, in a move aimed at improving passenger experience and boosting airline engagement and revenue opportunities.
As expectations for in-flight connectivity increasingly mirror those at home, passengers now demand fast, seamless access to Wi-Fi and entertainment throughout their journey. For airlines, delivering such connectivity has become essential to maintaining customer satisfaction, loyalty, and brand perception. At the same time, carriers are under pressure to monetise their significant investments in in-flight connectivity infrastructure, particularly as demand grows for free onboard internet access.
The collaboration between SES and Google seeks to address these dual challenges by streamlining how Android devices interact with onboard portals. By reducing connection friction and improving usability, the initiative is designed to create a more consistent and user-friendly experience for passengers while enhancing the commercial potential of airline portals.
According to Lars Bergstrom, Android Platform Director of Engineering, the work is aimed at improving connectivity at 35,000 feet by addressing common pain points passengers encounter when trying to get online.
“With SES multi-orbit in-flight connectivity reaching millions of passengers, we believe the experience at 35,000 feet should be as seamless as it is on the ground,” said Bergstrom. “By eliminating login and connection friction, we’re ensuring that whether travelers are streaming, gaming or working, they have immediate access to trusted features like seamless autofill and secure payments. We are thrilled to see SES leading the industry in adopting these improvements to deliver a more reliable and secure journey for Android users.”
As part of the initiative, SES worked with Google as an early access partner to integrate Android Custom Tabs into the connection process. This creates a more direct bridge between SES’s satellite network and Android operating systems. On aircraft equipped with SES connectivity, airline portals can now automatically open within a browser-like interface, allowing passengers to connect and begin using services more quickly, without repeated logins or manual steps.
Beyond simplifying access, the collaboration also focuses on maintaining passenger engagement. With Android Custom Tabs for captive portal login, the airline portal remains accessible in the background, functioning similarly to an app. This allows users to switch between tasks and easily return to the portal, increasing interaction time and supporting opportunities for loyalty programs, e-commerce, advertising, and premium service upgrades.
Aaron Goldberg, SES Director of Aviation Product Management, stated the update reinforces airline ownership of the onboard experience while increasing the commercial potential of IFC.
“By working with Google to streamline Android access to the onboard portal, we’re making it faster for passengers to get online while keeping the airline’s branded experience—and commercial opportunities—front and center. It’s a practical step toward delivering ‘at-home’ simplicity at 35,000 feet.”
The introduction of Android Custom Tabs on SES-enabled aircraft marks an industry-first approach to treating onboard portals like app-like experiences. Google has indicated that similar functionality could eventually extend beyond aviation to other environments that rely on Wi-Fi access portals, including hotels, transport hubs, and public venues, signaling broader implications for connectivity experiences across industries.
